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BlackBerry says its new Android smartphone is the 'world's most secure'

BlackBerry says its new Android smartphone is the 'world's most secure'

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The DTEK50 is a rebadged Alcatel Idol 4 for business customers

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BlackBerry has announced its second Android smartphone today, the DTEK50. The device, which shares hardware specifications and design with the Alcatel Idol 4, is a midrange, all-touchscreen smartphone. BlackBerry is touting the security features of the DTEK50, claiming that it is the "world's most secure smartphone." The device is up for preorder direct from BlackBerry for $299.99 starting today and will be available on August 8th. It is sold unlocked and will be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

The DTEK50 has a 5.2-inch, 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, 3GB RAM, 13-megapixel camera, and 2,610mAh battery. The 8-megapixel front camera also includes a flash for taking selfies. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with BlackBerry's software features, such as the Hub. The software is similar to the software on the Priv released last year.

The security features are highlighted right in the device's name, as it has BlackBerry's DTEK software that protects users from malware and other security problems often seen on Android smartphones. The DTEK app lets users quickly get an overview of their device's security and take action on any potential issues. BlackBerry says that it has modified Android with its own technology originally developed for the BB10 platform to make it more secure. The company is also committing to rapid updates to deliver security patches shortly after they are released.

BlackBerry has said that it will be releasing three smartphones in the near future and it appears that the DTEK50 is the first of the bunch. Though the DTEK50 doesn't have a physical keyboard, the company has recently reiterated that it is not abandoning keyboards and there will likely be future devices with the feature.

BlackBerry DTEK50
BlackBerry